topical yeast infections during radiation?

deadlanguages

Hi gang -

I was wondering if anyone on this board has had any experience with topical yeast infections suddenly flaring up like crazy during radiation? I'm very prone to intertrigo and ringworm on my back, arms, stomach, groin and beneath my breasts. I can't tell you how much athlete's foot cream I go through in a year. Usually I can keep it under control but I had a time dime-sized patch beneath my left arm suddenly flare up and spread like wildfire in my armpit and across my shoulder blade. It happened during week 3 of my radiation treatment and continued to get worse after treatment was done. I've developed three big abcesses. The doc wasn't sure it was yeast because normally the yeast infections I get smell like, well, yeast! LOL!

Doc had me doing saline soaks for a while; this helped the itching but not much else.

Also, I tried the OTC topical creams and it wasn't doing anything. So I've been on Cipro and a combinationsteroid/antibacterial ointment, which - while it reduces the itch somewhat - isnt really doing much for the spread of whatever this is. Last night I tried the ointment and added clotrimizole on top; this morning the redness had gone down significantly but the abcesses are still weeping pus. I've never had actual bacterial infections with a topical yeast infection before so this is really weird. I just want it gone - the infection is right where my bra touches, so wearing a bra all day at work just rubs it raw and hurts like hell. 

Does the radiation make the yeast go crazy or something? I'm concerned because I may be starting chemo in two weeks (still haven't made up my mind about it) and I don't want this crap all over my entire body for three months.

Any advice would be great. The infection is moving across my back into places I can no longer reach with the cream so I have no way to treat this on my own anymore, and I don't have anyone else who can apply the cream for me everyday.

Sherryc

I get systemic yeast infections.  The last time I had a bad vaginal yeast infection and my gyno treated me with two rounds of diflucan.  After the treatment I realized that I had had a good size scally patch of skin on my lower back that was suddenly gone as well.  When I went for my followup my gyno told me that my yeast infections get systemic in my body and that what I had she imagine was an external yeast infection as well since the diflucan seemed to take care of the issue.  You might want want to talk to your doctor about diflucan to see if it will help you or not.  I am getting readdy to start rads and never thought about the yeast thing I will be watching this since reading your post.  Good luck with some relief.

deadlanguages

Thanks, Sherry!

Weirdest thing is that I have never had a vaginal yeast infection. Just topical. 

But yeah, do be aware of the yeast thing with the radiation. I think it makes the yeast go nuts or something!

Dee2010

I think perhaps skin conditions in general are exacerbated. I have psoriasis in the groin area, and between the breasts.  Totally disappeared during chemo, came back with a vengence and wider spread during rads.